Our work encompasses civic and residential architecture, interiors, landscape and urban design. Highly varied, the work ranges in scale and program, and includes projects across arts, cultural, education, health, commercial and residential sectors.
KTA comprises an experienced and talented team of around 50 individuals, who apply their expertise to delivering complex projects. Kerstin Thompson is the design director and principal of KTA, which she founded in 1994.
Kerstin is the design director and leader on all projects undertaken by KTA, supported by a dedicated and skilled team. Her design excellence, project success and strategic thinking has been recognised through a raft of architectural awards at state, national and international levels.
In recognition of her work and contribution to the profession and tertiary education, Kerstin was elevated to Life Fellow by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2017. In 2022, she was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and, in 2023, she was awarded the Gold Medal, the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour.
In recognition of her work and contribution to the profession and tertiary education, Kerstin was elevated to Life Fellow by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2017. In 2022, she was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and, in 2023, she was awarded the Gold Medal, the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour.
Committed to design-based research and education, Kerstin is an adjunct professor at RMIT and Monash Universities. As a writer and lecturer, she maintains close links with schools of architecture and professional institutes both in Australia and overseas.
As well as playing an active role within the architecture profession, she also promotes quality design in the wider community through being a panel member on the Office of the Victorian Government Architect’s Design Review Panel.
Toby is responsible for the coordination of multiple projects and project teams, from initial design and competition stages through to tender and documentation to project delivery. He is skilled across all aspects of practice management, including fee formulation, tender submissions, business development, contract reviews, resourcing, forecasting and company standards.
Toby has gained project experience in various sectors, including single and multi-residential, hospitality, commercial, education and institutional, and in master-planning developments. Having led concurrent projects of different scale, he is adept at resourcefully managing client and consultant relationships, stakeholder groups, deadlines and expectations.
Toby is particularly interested in energy- and materials-efficient construction, and is an accredited Green Star professional, with project experience in both One Planet and WELL assessment tools.
Claire is a design leader at KTA. She has been part of the team since 2013 and has worked on a broad range of project typologies. Claire is particularly adept at maintaining a high level of design quality from a project’s inception through to the practicalities of the construction site.
She excels at driving projects, thinking laterally and finding solutions to project impediments. In her role as design lead, she works across several projects at various phases, proactively encouraging, directing and supporting project teams with design management, exploration and resolution of the design intents.
Charlie leads the charge in managing communications and branding initiatives at KTA. Her approach hinges on a deep understanding of the core design goals of each project, to ensure the ideas are conveyed both lucidly and for maximum impact.
She collaborates closely with the leadership team to craft strategies and branding and communications materials that reflect with the studio’s fundamental principles and values. Beyond outward-facing communications, Charlie’s role extends to nurturing an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity within KTA, including through enhanced internal communications.
Lloyd has more than 18 years’ industry experience. He joined KTA in 2016 and has contributed to several award-winning projects, such as the Broadmeadows Town Hall, Queen & Collins, Bundanon Art Museum & Bridge and multiple government schools. His primary interests lie in education, public and civic projects, including master-planning and integrated sustainable building practices.
He has led numerous multi-residential, public and education projects across feasibility, town planning, documentation and construction phases. With his knowledge of learning environments, he oversees KTA’s education projects, driving research and innovative solutions.
Lynn joined KTA in 1998 and has since worked on a range of project types across scales and programs, including in retail, residential, public and education sectors. She leads the detailed design and delivery of KTA’s single houses, extending her expertise to boutique conversions and developments of units and town houses.
Lynn has more than 25 years’ professional experience in design and project management, from concept to completion. Her attention to detail, expertise and knowledge is supported by excellent communication and listening skills. Lynn builds and fosters strong relationship with clients and contractors, and produces high-quality award-winning projects. As the longest KTA colleague Lynn’s kindness, care and empathy towards colleagues and clients is foundational to KTA’s culture.
Michael has more than 10 years’ industry experience, working at design-focused practices in the United States and Australia. His exceptional communication and negotiation skills have been consistently demonstrated on notable projects such as Fisherman’s Bend for the University of Melbourne, the Supreme Court of Victoria, and Queen & Collins.
Michael is highly skilled in realising conceptual development, ensuring design intent is effectively communicated and documented. He successfully manages engagement and team coordination across all project phases. His energy, people skills and day to day studio contributions are invaluable.
Andy joined KTA in 2021, and his dynamic energy and leadership on our Social Housing and Tertiary education projects has been influential in their success. He has provided design and project leadership across residential, education, cultural, civic, and public projects, with a strong focus on sustainability and a dedication toward high quality outcomes.
He is an intuitive and enthusiastic collaborator, and brings his excellent communication skills, technical acumen, innovative processes, and construction knowledge to all aspects of design and construction phases. He has co-lead KTA’s practice studio in the master of Architecture program at RMIT for the last two years, and has been a key contributor to the development of our endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan.
Anne-Claire joined KTA in 2019, bringing expertise and insights acquired through more than 15 years’ experience working practices in France, Germany and Australia. She has a broad knowledge of all project stages and has managed many projects from concept design to town planning, design development, contract documentation and administration, and tender.
Anne-Claire approaches her projects holistically, understanding that astute design solutions require detailed coordination, project management and delivery. She believes strongly in establishing collaborative working relationships with her internal team, clients and consultants.
John is an architect deeply committed to his craft, and in his time at KTA has demonstrated his expertise across multiple project stages and typologies. Joining the team in 2021, with over a decade of experience John possesses a natural ability to support, mentor, and champion design, as evidenced by his contributions as design coordinator for KTA’s component of the Queen Victoria Market Southern Development Site project,
shepherding the design intent for tower and heritage components from project inception. His true interest lies in allied efforts, where he closely collaborates with industry experts and fellow creative professionals to craft practical solutions for complex challenges.
With more than 28 years’ industry experience across major public and private projects, Martin joined KTA in 2016. He has extensive knowledge of construction and procurement, and his strength lies in his exceptional ability to deliver large and complex projects on time and budget.
Martin’s management skills are supported by his clear communication style. He brings invaluable experience of delivering high-quality design in the context of complex contractual arrangements.
Michael joined KTA in 1998 and has managed design and construction for several significant projects, including Victoria Police stations, the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, schools and women’s refuge community housing. Most recently h led the design and construction for the award-winning Northcote High School Performing Arts & VCE Centre.
Michael regularly coordinates design and specialised consultant teams, particularly on large public and private projects involving detailed procedures, guidelines and standards. With a keen interest quality assurance and systems, he is committed to quality outcomes, including through guidelines for documentation; smart processes, protocols and procedures; and documentation control and checklists for the scope of service.
Sally’s appointment as executive assistant to Kerstin and studio administrator marks her first foray into the architecture industry, in which she has an abiding interest. She has a background in events and office management in Melbourne’s arts and culture sector, from book events and publishing to cinema and radio, which also inform her downtime.
Sally has always worked in people-facing roles, which is where she is happiest. She has worked, in her own words, ‘with some of the finest and most inspiring minds in Melbourne, and working with Kerstin continues this tradition’.
Sarah joined KTA in 2020 as the interiors lead. She has worked in multi-disciplinary teams on private and public sector projects, developing design solutions in all phases, from concept to design development and documentation, including branding, video content and prototyping.
Sarah takes a holistic approach to interior solutions and has a strong technical background in design, detailing and construction for both architecture and interiors. She works closely with the design team to develop coherent spaces that consider all users’ behaviours and experiences, as well as the client’s values and ethics.
Sophie is a project architect with more than 15 years’ industry experience gained both locally and internationally. Prior to joining KTA, she worked for leading Melbourne and London practices, where she developed exceptional software fluency, especially in BIM and other computer-based design programs.
Sophie has coordinated design and specialised consultant teams, particularly across public and private projects involving detailed procedures, guidelines and standards. She has consistently worked in a practical and efficient manner to ensure project milestones are realised on time and budget, while fostering client relationships.
Tamsin joined KTA as a student architect in 2015. She has become primarily responsible for KTA’s team of visualisers; she helps bring projects to life so that the client can experience the design in its initial concept stage, as well as throughout the project realisation.
Tamsin studied art and was a freelance artist for eight years before studying architecture. She blends her technical skills in 3D representation with her artistic eye to communicate effectively through images. Her renders and 3D representations are invaluable in conveying KTA’s designs in presentations, reports and design competitions.
